Kiska Landings: 15-16 Aug 1943

In June 1942, a Japanese naval task force landed in the Aleutians islands and occupied the islands of
Kiska and Attu. It was intended as a diversion to draw American naval forces away from Midway prior to
a Japanese assault on the islands. In 1943, the Americans and Canadians organized a force to retake
Kiska from the Japanese.

The 34,000 strong force included the 13th Canadian Infantry Brigade and the American-Canadian 1st
Special Service Force. The 13th Canadian Infantry Brigade Group was composed of the Canadian
Fusiliers, Winnipeg Grenadiers, Rocky Mountain Rangers, Régiment de Hull, 24th Field Regiment Royal
Canadian Artillery, 46th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery Royal Canadian Artillery, 24th Field Company Royal
Canadian Engineers, 24th Field Ambulance, Royal Canadian Army Medical Services Corps, and the 1st
Company of the St. John Fusiliers.

A fleet of 3 battleships, 2 cruisers, and 19 destroyers supported the landing force as it set sail on13
August 1943. When the Allied force began landing on Kiska on 15 August, the island was deserted. The
Japanese Imperial Navy completed the evacuation of Kiska only four days before the American-
Canadian force arrived. Allied aerial reconnaissance did not detect the Japanese evacuation operation
due to poor weather and heavy fog. The 13th Canadian Infantry Brigade was stationed on Kiska until 22
December 1943.

Although the Canadians did not see action, sickness was rampant among members of the 13th
Infantry Brigade. The cold and damp of the inhospitable climate claimed as many, if not more, casualties
as any enemy fire would have inflicted.